the sheriffs, towards Smithfield, repeating the Fifty-first psalm by the way, all the people wonderfully rejoicing at his constancy, with great praises and thanks to God for it: and there, in the presence of Rochester, comptroller of the queen's household, Sir Richard Southwell, the sheriffs, and a wonderful number of people, he was burned to ashes, washing his hands in the flame as he was burning. A little before his burning at the stake, his pardon was brought, if he would have recanted, but he utterly refused it. He was the first martyr of all the blessed company that suffered in Queen Mary's time at the fire. His wife and children, being eleven in number, ten able to walk, and one sucking on her breast, met him by the way as he went towards Smithfield. This sorrowful sight of his own flesh and blood could not move him, but he constantly and cheerfully took his death with wonderful patience, in the defence of Christ's gospel.

The History and Martyrdom of Lawrence Sanders, burned for the defence of the Gospel, at Coventry, February 8, A. D. 1555.

After Queen Mary, by public proclamation in the first year of her reign, had prohibited the sincere preaching of God's holy word, several godly ministers of the word, who had the cure and charge of souls committed to them, did notwithstanding, according to their bounden duty, feed their flock faithfully, not as preachers authorized by public authority, as the godly order of the realm was in the happy days of blessed King Edward, but as the private pastors of particular flocks, among whom Lawrence Sanders was one, a man of honourable parentage. His bringing up was in the school of Eton; from whence he was chosen to go to the King's College in Cambridge, where he continued scholar of the college three whole years. Shortly after he forsook the university, and went to his parents, upon whose advice he intended to become a merchant; for his mother, who was a gentlewoman of good estimation, being left a widow, and having a good portion for him among his other brothers, she thought to set him up wealthily, and so he, coming up to London, was bound apprentice to a merchant, named Sir William Chester. But Almighty God, who has his secret working in all things, saw better for his servant; for the Lord so wrought inwardly in his heart, that he could find no liking in that vocation.

himself from it. And about that time began the broil about the claim that Queen Mary made to the crown, | by_reason of which he could not accomplish his purpose. In this disturbance he preached at Northampton, not meddling with the state, but boldly uttered his conscience against popish doctrine and antichrist's damnable errors, which were like to spring up again in England, as a just plague for the little love which the English nation bore to the blessed word of God. The queen's men who were there and heard him, were highly displeased with him for his sermon; and for it kept him among them as a prisoner. But partly for love of his brethren and friends, who were chief doers for the queen among them, partly because there was no law broken by his preaching, they dismissed him. He, seeing the dreadful days at hand, inflamed with the fire of godly zeal, preached with diligence at both those benefices, as time could serve him, seeing he could resign neither of them now but into the hand of a papist.

It happened that his master, being a good man, and hearing his apprentice in his secret prayers inwardly to mourn by himself, called him to him, to know what was the cause of his solitariness and lamentation; and perceiving his mind not to fancy that kind of life (for so Sanders declared to him) and his whole purpose was bent to the study of his book and spiritual contemplation, like a good man, he directed his letters to his friends, and set him free; and thus Lawrence Sanders, being delighted with the love of learning, and especially with the reading of God's word, shortly returned to Cambridge again to his study. Then gave he himself wholly to the study of the holy scriptures, to qualify himself for the office of a preacher.

In the beginning of King Edward's reign, when God's true religion was begun to be restored, he began to preach, and was so well liked by them who had authority, that they appointed him to read a divinity lecture in the college at Fotheringay, where he edified the godly; drew many to God's true knowledge, and stopped the mouth of the adversaries. He married about that time, and led a life unblameable before all men. The college of Fotheringay being dissolved, he was placed to be reader in the minster at Lichfield, where he so behaved himself in teaching and living, that the very adversaries gave him a full report as well of learning as of much godliness. After a time, he departed from Lichfield to a benefice in Leicestershire, called Churchlangton, where he taught diligently; then he was called to take a benefice in the city of London, named Allhallows, in Bread-street. Then he resolved to give over his cure in the country; and therefore, after he had taken possession of his benefice in London, he departed from London into the country, to discharge

Thus he passed to and fro, preaching, until that proclamation was put forth, of which mention is made in the beginning. At which time he was at his benefice in the country, where he (notwithstanding this proclamation) taught diligently God's truth, confirming the people in it, and arming them against false doctrine, until he was not only commanded to cease, but also resisted with force, so that he could not proceed in preaching. Some of his friends, perceiving such fearful menacing, counselled him to flee out of the realm, which he refused to do. But seeing he was by violence kept from doing good in that place, he returned towards London to visit the flock of which he had there the charge.

On Saturday, the 14th of October, as he was coming to the city of London, Sir John Mordant, a counsellor to Queen Mary, overtook him, and asked him whither he went. "I have," said Sanders, "a cure in London, and now I go to instruct my people according to my duty." "If you will follow my counsel," said Master Mordant, "let them alone, and go not to them." To this Sanders answered, "How shall I then be discharged before God, if any be sick, and desire consolation, if any want good counsel and need instruction, or if any should slip into error and receive false doctrine?" "Did you not," said Mordant, "preach on such a day, (naming the day) in Bread-street, in London?" "Yes, verily," said Sanders, "that same is my cure." heard you myself," said Master Mordant: "and will you preach now there again?" "If it please you," said Sanders, "to-morrow you may hear me again in that same place, where I will confirm, by the authority of God's word, all that I said then, and whatever before that time I taught them."

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"I

"I would counsel you," said Master Mordant, "not to preach." "If you can and will forbid me by lawful authority, then must I obey," said Sanders. Nay,” replied he, "I will not forbid you, but I do give you counsel." And thus they both entered the city, and departed each from the other. Master Mordant, of an uncharitable mind, went to give warning to Bonner, bishop of London, that Sanders would preach in his cure the next day. Sanders resorted to his lodging, with a mind bent to do his duty. Where, because he seemed to be somewhat troubled, one who was about him asked him how he did. "In very deed," said he,"I am in prison, till I be in prison;" meaning that his mind was unquiet until he had preached, and that he should have quietness of mind, though he were put in prison.

The next day, which was Sunday, in the forenoon, be made a sermon in his parish, treating on that place which St. Paul writes to the Corinthians: 2 Cor. xi. 2, 3. “I have espoused you to one husband, that may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ. But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtlety, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ." He recited that true christian doctrine, through which they were coupled to Christ, to receive of him free justification through faith in his blood. The papistical doctrine he compared to the serpent's decieving; and lest they should be deceived by it. he

made a comparison between the voice of God, and the voice of the popish serpent; descending to a more particular declaration of it, as it were, to let them plainly see the difference that is between the order of the church service set forth by King Edward in the English tongue, and comparing it with the popish service then used in the Latin tongue.

The first he said was good, because it was according to the word of God (1 Cor. xiv.) and the order of the primitive church. The other he said was evil; and though in that evil are intermingled some good Latin words; yet was it but as a little honey or milk mingled with a great deal of poison, to make them drink it all. This was the sum of his sermon.

In the afternoon he was ready in his church to have given another exhortation to his people. But the bishop of London interrupted him, by sending an officer for him. This officer charged him, upon the pain of disobedience and contumacy, forthwith to come to the bishop his master. Thus, as the apostles were brought out of the temple, where they were teaching, unto the rulers of the priests, so was Lawrence Sanders brought before this bishop, who had in his company the aforenamed Sir John Mordant and some of his chaplains. The bishop laid no more to Lawrence Sanders's charge than treason for breaking the queen's proclamation, and heresy and sedition for his sermon.

After much talk, the bishop desired him to write what he believed of transubstantiation. Lawrence Sanders did so, saying, 66 My lord, you seek my blood, and you shall have it: I pray God that you may be so baptized in it, that you may thereafter loath blood-sucking, and become a better man.' This writing the bishop kept for his purpose, even to cut the writer's throat, as shall appear hereafter. The bishop sent Lawrence Sanders to the lord chancellor, as Annas sent Christ to Caiaphas ; and like favour found Sanders, as Christ his Master did before him. But the chancellor not being at home, Sanders was constrained to tarry for him for the space of four hours, in the outer chamber, where he found a chaplain of the bishop's very merrily disposed, with certain gentlemen playing at the tables, with others of the ɛame family or house occupied there in the same exercise.

All this time Sanders stood very modestly and soberly at the screen or cupboard bare-headed, Sir John Mordant, his guide or leader, walking up and down by him, who was then one of the council. At last the bishop returned from the court, whom, as soon as he was entered, he met and received a great many suitors; so that before he could get out of one house into another, half an hour was passed. At the last he came into the chamber where Sanders was, and went through into another chamber, where, as he passed, Sanders' leader gave him a writing, containing the cause, or rather the accusation of the said Sanders: which when he had perused, "Where is the man?" said the bishop. Then Sanders, being brought forth to the place of examination, first most lowly and meekly kneeled down, and made curtesy before the table where the bishop did sit : unto whom the bishop spake in this wise:

"How happeneth it," said he, "that, notwithstanding the queen's proclamation to the contrary, that you have continued to preach ?"

Sanders denied not that he had preached; saying, that forsomuch as he saw the perilous times now at hand, he did but (according as he was admonished, and warned by Ezekiel the prophet) exhort his flock and parishioners to persevere and stand steadfastly in the doctrine which they had learned; saying also, that he was moved and pricked forward to it by the place of the apostle, wherein he was commanded rather to obey God than man; and moreover, that nothing more moved or stirred him thereto, than his own conscience.

"A goodly conscience, surely!" said the bishop. "This your conscience could make our queen a bastard, or misbegotten: would it not I pray you?"

Then said Sanders, "We do not declare or say that the queen is base, or misbegotten, neither go about any such matter. But let those take care whose writings

are yet in the hands of men, witnessing to the same:" taunting the bishop himself, who had, to get the favour of Henry VIII., written a book on true obedience, in which he had openly declared Queen Mary to be illegitimate. Then Master Sanders going forwards in his purpose, said, "We do only profess and teach the sincerity and purity of the word; which, although it is now forbidden us to preach with our mouths, yet notwithstanding, I do not doubt, but that our blood hereafter shall manifest." The bishop being touched, said, " Carry away this frenzied fool to prison." Sanders answered, "That he did give God thanks who had given him at last a place of rest and quietness, where he might pray for the bishop's conversion."

Sanders continued in prison a whole year and three months. During which time he sent letters to Cranmer, Ridley, and Latimer; to his wife, and also to others, certifying to them both of the public calamity of the times, and also of his private afflictions, and of his conflicts with his adversaries. In writing to his friends, he speaks of Weston conferring with him in prison. The chancellor sent him to the prison of the Marshalsea. Of his cause and estate we shall now see what Sanders himself did write.

A part of a Letter of Lawrence Sanders, which was

sent to the Bishop of Winchester.

"Touching the cause of my imprisonment, I doubt whether I have broken any law or proclamation. In my doctrine I did not, forasmuch as at that time it was permitted by the proclamation to use, according to our consciences, such service as was then established. My doctrine was then agreeable unto my conscience and the service then used. The act which I did" (he meaneth public teaching of God's word in his own parish, called Allhallows, in Bread-street, in the city of London) "was such as, being indifferently weighed, sounded to no breaking of the proclamation, or at the least no wilful breaking of it, forasmuch as I caused no bell to be rung, neither occupied I any place in the pulpit, after the order of sermons or lectures. But be it that I did break the proclamation, surely this long time of continuance in prison may be thought to be more than a sufficient punishment for such a fault.

"Touching the charging of me with my religion, I say with St. Paul: Acts xxiv. 14. This I confess unto thee, that after the way which they call heresy, so wor ship I the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the law and in the prophets. And have hope towards God,' &c. And herein I study to have always a clear conscience towards God and towards men; so that I call God to witness I have a conscience; and this my conscience is not grounded upon vain fantasy, but upon the infallible truth of God's word, with the witnessing of his chosen church agreeable unto the same.

"It is an easy thing for them, who take Christ for their true pastor, and are the very sheep of his pasture, to discern the voice of their true Shepherd, from the voice of wolves, hirelings, and strangers: forasmuch as Christ saith, My sheep hear my voice;' yea, and thereby they shall have the gift to know the right voice of the true Shepherd, and so to follow him, and to avoid the contrary, as he also says, 'The sheep follow the Shepherd; for they know his voice: a stranger will they not follow, but will fly from him; for they know not the voice of a stranger.' Such inward inspiration doth the Holy Ghost put into the children of God, being indeed taught of God, but otherwise unable to understand the true way of their salvation. And although the wolf (as Christ saith) comes in sheep's clothing, yet he saith, By their fruits ye shall know them. For there are certain fruits whereby the wolf is betrayed, notwithstanding that otherwise, in sundry parts of devout holiness in outward shew, he seems never so simple a sheep. That the Romish religion is ravenish and wolfish, it is apparent in three principal points:

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"First, it robs God of his true and only honour. Secondly, it takes away the true comfort of conscience, in obscuring, or rather burying of Christ and his office of salvation.

"Thirdly, it spoils God of his true worship and service in spirit and in truth, appointed in his written commandments, and drives men to that inconvenience, against which, Christ, with the prophet Isaiah, speaketh sharply: This people honoureth me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.' 'In vain they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.' And in another place, 'Ye reject the commandment of God, that you may keep your own tradition.'

"Wherefore I in conscience weighing the Romish religion, and by impartial discussing of it, finding the foundation unsteadfast, and the building but in vain : and on the other side having my conscience framed after a right and uncorrupt religion, ratified and fully established by the word of God, and the consent of his true church, I neither may, nor do intend, by God's gracious assistance, to be pulled one jot from the same; no, though an angel out of heaven should preach another gospel than that which I have received of the Lord."

The above will enable us to understand how good was the cause and the state of mind of this blessed child of God, now suffering imprisonment for the cause of Christ, for the defence of which he wholly resigned himself, so that he forbade his wife to sue for his delivery; and when others of his friends had by suit almost obtained it, he discouraged them, as by his letter here set forth may appear :

A Letter of Lawrence Sanders to his Wife. "Grace, mercy, and peace in Christ our Lord, entirely beloved wife, even as unto my own soul and body, so do I daily in my hearty prayer wish to you, for I do daily, twice at the least, in this sort remember you. And I do not doubt, dear wife, but that both I and you, as we are written in the book of life, so we shall together enjoy the same everlastingly, through the grace and mercy of God our dear Father, in his Son our Christ. And for this present life, let us wholly devote ourselves to the will of our good God, to glorify him either by life or by death; and even that same merciful Lord make us worthy to honour him either way as pleaseth him, Amen. I am happy, I thank my God and my Christ, in whom and through whom I shall, I know, be able to fight a good fight, and finish a good course, and then receive the crown which is laid up in store for me, and all the true soldiers of Christ. Wherefore, wife, let us, in the name of our God, fight lustily to overcome the flesh, the devil, and the world. arms and weapons should be in this kind of fight, look into the 6th chapter to the Ephesians, and pray, pray, pray. I would that you make no suit for me in anywise. Thank, you know whom, for her most sweet and comfortable putting me in remembrance of my journey whither I am passing. God send us all good speed, and a joyful meeting. I have too few such friends to further me in that journey, which is indeed the greatest friendship. The blessing of God be with you all, Amen. A prisoner in the Lord," "L. SANDERS."

What our

This his constancy is sufficiently commended and declared by his valiant confronting two mighty enemies, antichrist and death. To neither of these did he give place; but by suffering their malice, got the victory over them both. One of the conflicts which he had with antichrist and his members, I have gathered out of a letter of his own handwriting. It was with Doctor Weston. Of this, Sanders thus writes in a letter which he sent to one of his friends, who wrote to him to know what Doctor Weston did at the Marshalsea.

"Master Weston came to confer with Master Gri. moald. What he has concluded with him I know not.

I wish it may be to God's glory, Amen, Amen. Master Weston of his gentleness visited me, and offered me friendship in his worldly, and wily way, &c. I had not so much good manners as to take it at his hands; for I said, that I was well enough, and ready cheerfully to abide the extremity, to keep thereby a good conscience. 'Ye are asleep in sin,' said he. I would awake,' re

"Who was of your church,' said he, thirty years past?' 'Such,' replied I, as the Romish antichrist and his rabble have reputed and condemned as heretics.' 'Wickliff,' said he, Thorp, Oldcastle, &c.' 'Yea,' said I, with many more, as histories do tell.'

"The bishop of Rome hath,' said he, for a long time played a part in your railing sermons: but now, you may be sure, he will play another part.' 'The more pity,' replied I, and yet some comfort it is to see how that the best learned, wisest, and holiest of you all, have heretofore had him to play a part likewise in your sermons and writings, though now, to please the world, you do turn with the weather-cock.' Did you ever,'

said he, 'hear me preach against the bishop of Rome?' 'No.' replied I, for I never heard you preach. But I trow you have been no wiser than others,' &c., with more about the sacrament. Pray, pray. God keep your family, and bless it."

What blessed taste this good man hath of God's Holy Spirit may appear by his letters.

"To the Archbishop Cranmer, Bishop Ridley, and Master Latimer, now imprisoned in Oxford.

"In my most humblewise I salute you, most reverend fathers in Christ Jesus our Lord. Immortal thanks and everlasting praises be given unto the Father of mercies, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son; in whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins." O most happy estate, that in an unspeakable manner our life is hid with Christ in God. But whensoever Christ, which is our life, shall show himself, then shall we also appear with him in glory. In the mean season, as our sight is but as in a glass, even in a dark saying, so we walk in faith, not after outward appearance. Which faith, although, for want of outward appearance, reason reputes but as vain, yet the chosen of God do know the effect thereof, to bring a more substantial state and lively fruition of very felicity and perfect blessedness than reason can reach, or senses receive. By this faith we have in our possession all good things, yea even them which the eye hath not seen, and the ear hath not heard, neither hath it entered into the heart of man,' &c. Then if hereby we do enjoy all good things, it follows that we must needs possess, have, and enjoy you, most reverend fathers, who be no small part of the joy and good things given us of God. We heretofore have had the fruition of you by bodily presence to our inexplicable benefit, praise be to our most gracious God therefor. And now in spirit we have the experience of unspeakable comfort by your reverend fatherhoods, for that in this so glorious sort ye become a town set upon a hill, a candle upon a candlestick, a spectacle unto the world, both to the angels and unto men. So that, as we to our great comfort do feel, you also may assuredly with St. Paul say, that the things which happen unto us, do fall out unto the furtherance of the gospel, so that our bonds in Christ are manifest, not only throughout all the judgment-hall, but in all Europe; insomuch that many of the brethren in the Lord, being encouraged through our bonds, dare more boldly speak the word without fear. And herein as you have with St. Paul greatly to rejoice, so we rejoice with you, and we do indeed with you give thanks for this worthy excellent favour of our God towards you, that Christ is thus magnified in you, yea, and hereafter shall be magnified in your bodies, whether it be through life or death. Of which being truly we are assured in our prayers for you, and ministering of the Spirit. And although for our own parts, Christ is unto you in life and death advantage, and that your desire is, (as indeed it were better for you) to be loosed, and to be with Christ, yet for the

our trust in him, but let us with godly Job conclude in ourselves and say; Even though he slay me, yet will I put my trust in him.' Let us with the blessed Abraham, in hope, even contrary to hope, by belief lean unto that our loving Lord, who though for our probation he suffereth us to be afflicted, yet He will not always chide; neither will he keep his anger for ever. For he knoweth our frame: he remembereth that we are dust.' Wherefore As the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him. As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us. Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear him.' Oh! what great cause of rejoicing have we in our most gracious God! We cannot but burst forth in the praising of such a bountiful benefactor, and say with the same Psalmist; Praise the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me praise his holy name. Praise the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits.'

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"Dear wife, riches I have none to leave behind me, wherewith to endow you after the worldly manner: But that treasure of tasting how sweet Christ is unto hungry consciences, (whereof, I thank my Christ, I do feel part, and would feel more,) that I bequeath unto you, and to the rest of my beloved in Christ, to retain the same in sense of heart always. Pray, pray. I am happy, and I trust I shall be, in spite of the teeth of all the powers of hell. I utterly refuse myself, and resign myself unto my Christ, in whom I know I shall be strong, as he seeth needful. Pray, pray, pray!

"LAWRENCE SANDERS."

And now, to come to the examination of this good man, after the bishops had kept him one whole year and a quarter in prison, at length they called him, as they did the rest of his fellows, openly to be examined. Of which examination the effect and purport was as follows:

The Examination of Lawrence Sanders.

Praised be our gracious God, who preserveth his from evil, and gives them grace to avoid all such offences as might hinder his honour, or hurt his church, Amen.

Being brought before the queen's most honourable council, and sundry bishops being present, the lord chancellor began to speak as follows:

Lord Chancellor." It is not unknown that you have been a prisoner, for such abominable heresies and false doctrine as hath been sown by you; and now it is thought good that mercy be shewed to such as seek for it. Wherefore if now you will shew yourself conformable, and come home again, mercy is ready. We must say that we all have fallen: but now have risen again, and returned to the Catholic church; you must rise with us, and come home to it. Give us forthwith a direct

answer.

Sanders." My lord, and my lords all, may it please your hononrs to give me leave to answer with deliberation."

Ld. Chan." Leave off your painting and pride of speech: for such is the fashion of you all, to please yourselves in your glorious words. Answer yea, or nay.”

Sanders. -"My lord, it is no time for me now to paint. And as for pride, there is no great cause why it should be in me; my learning I confess to be but small: and as for riches or worldly wealth I have none at all. Notwithstanding, I am ready to answer to your demand circumspectly, considering that one of these two extreme perils are likely to fall upon me: the losing of a good conscience, or the losing of this my body and life. And I tell you in truth, I love both life and liberty, if I could enjoy them without the hurt of my conscience."

Ld. Chan." Conscience! You have none at all, but pride and arrogancy."

Sanders." The Lord is the knower of all men's consciences. And where your lordship lays to my charge this dividing myself from the church, I do assure you, that I live in the faith wherein I have been brought up since I was fourteen years old; being taught that the

power of the bishop of Rome is but usurped. Yea, this I have received even at your hands that are here present, as a thing agreed upon by the catholic church and public authority."

Ld. Chan." Yea, but I pray you, have you received by consent and authority all your heresies of the blessed sacrament of the altar?"

Sanders." My lord, it is a less offence to cut off an arm, hand, or joint of a man, than to cut off the head. For the man may live though he do lack an arm, hand, or joint, and he cannot without his head. But you, all the whole sort of you, had agreed to cut off the supremacy of the bishop of Rome; whom now you will have to be the head of the church again."

Bp. of Lond." I have his hand-writing against the blessed sacrament. How say you to that?"

Sanders. What I have written, that I have written; and further I will not accuse myself. Nothing have you to burden me with, for breaking of your laws since they were in force." Ld. Chan. 14

liberty."

Well, you are obstinate, and refuse

Sanders.-"My lord, I cannot buy liberty at such a price: but I beseech your honours to be a means to the queen's majesty for such a pardon for us, that we may live and keep our consciences unclogged, and we shall live as most obedient subjects. Otherwise I must say for myself, that by God's grace I will abide the utmost extremity that man may do against me, rather than act against my conscience."

Ld. Chan." Ah sir, you will live as you list. The Donatists desired to live in singularity; but they were not meet to live on earth: No more are you, and that you shall understand within these seven days; and therefore away with him!"

Sanders. -"Welcome be it, whatever the will of God shall be, either life or death. And I tell you truly, I have learned to die. But I exhort you to beware of shedding of innocent blood. Truly it will cry. The Spirit of God rest upon all your honours, Amen."

This is the sum and form of my first examination. Pray, &c.

This examination being ended, the officers led him out of the place, until the rest of his fellows were likewise disposed of, that they might convey them all together to prison. Sanders standing among the officers, and seeing there a great multitude of people, opened his mouth and spake freely, warning them all of that which by their falling from Christ to antichrist they deserved, and therefore exhorting them by repentance to rise again, and to embrace Christ with stronger faith, to confess him to the end, in the defiance of antichrist, sin, death, and the devil: so should they retain the Lord's favour and blessing.

After he was excommunicated and delivered to the secular power, he was brought by the sheriff of London to prison.

On the 4th of February, the bishop of London came to the prison where he was, to degrade him: which when he had done, Sanders said to him, "I thank God I am not of your church."

On the following morning, the sheriff of London, delivered him to the queen's guard, who were appointed to carry him to the city of Coventry to be burned.

After they were come to Coventry, a poor shoemaker, came to him, and said; "O my good master, God strengthen and comfort you." "Good shoemaker," cried Master Sanders, 66 pray for me; for I am the unmeetest man for this high office, that ever was appointed to it; but my gracious God and dear Father is able to make me strong enough." That same night he was put into the common goal among other prisoners, where he slept little, but spent the night in prayer, and instructing others.

On the next day, which was the 8th of February, he was led to the place of execution in the park without the city. He went in an old gown and shirt, and bare